I have a diagnosed memory disorder, nothing horrible mind you, but I often forget things. Most of my childhood is faint glimpses of things that might or might not be real. But there is one unifying theme, music. I've always had music in my life. When I hear music, I remember.
Growing up in the mid to late 70's guaranteed I had a strange and warped musical accompaniment (more often than not depressing songs about lost love). These are the songs of a boy sitting in a lazyboy, with massive headphones, imaging heaven knows what (yes, that's me in the picture)
Duration: 59 minutes
- 1) God Only Knows
Now I associate this song with "Big Love", which is unfortunate because the song takes me back to summer days traveling to the beach.
- 2) Colour My World
Before Peter Cetera took control of the band, Chicago was a strange fusion of jazz and blues; and I remember staring at this album cover while listening ....
- 3) Photographs and Memories
My dad loved Jim Croce. A Philadelphia native and still a truly great singer and songwriter. I credit Croce with developing my love for Elliott Smith, Sam Beam, et al.
- 4) The Gambler
Who doesn't love The Gambler? And who doesn't remember it as performed with the Muppets™?
- 5) Time
This song's chorus tortured me for about 5 days. I couldn't recall anything else, and I could think of nothing else. Thankfully my sister remember who sang it. I'm shocked my dad listened to The Alan Parsons Project (little tidbit, their song "Sirius" is the song used by the Chicago Bulls to introduce the team)
- 6) Many
I feel no shame in having loved Barry Manilow as a kid. I remember my sister and I hearing this song and playing with our stuffed animals (she had a dog named "Mandy", so we always thought it was about her) in the back of our Oldsmobile station wagon on the way back from Sunday night church. Those windy back-country Pennsylvania roads...
- 7) Ventura Highway
Perhaps a band better known for doing the soundtrack to "The Last Unicorn" (of which my sister an I tape recorded the entire movie on cassette) or "A Horse With No Name", I always preferred this song, even as a kid.
- 8) How Deep Is Your Love
I always thought they were girls. I still love this song (shut up)
- 9) Take it to the limit
The Eagles - I could not avoid them as a kid; another band my dad loved. Perhaps they should literally sing "take it to the limit" one or two less times, but still a great song.
- 10) Magic
Anyone else have a crush on Olivia besides me? Yeah, I thought so.
- 11) I want to know what love is
The early 80's compromised of the "power ballad", and I love everything about them.
- 12) Africa
You know you adore this song.
- 13) I don't want to know
A lesser known Mac song; and a great one at that.
- 14) More than a feeling
They had one huge debut record in 1976 (33 years ago!) but it endures and endures and endures.
- 15) Don't stop believing
I remember the album cover and wondering what the heck it was -- some robot beetle breaking through a rotten egg? Regardless, I sang to Journey, like I still do.